DISQUS

Mark · 6 months ago

I'm not a heavy Tumblr user, but I use it like a visual delicious, saving away the pretty bits of the world to reflect on later.

I had the exact same reaction as you: understood that they wanted to drive usage, but chose the wrong mechanic. Suddenly I feel exposed and aware of my saving habits.

I won't use it less, but I certainly won't use it more. It'll be interesting to see if it works over the stretch and they keep it.

leigh · 6 months ago

I'm curious if they will keep it as well. Maybe the Tumblr community I'm connected with is an anomaly for their service? I got the impression that their original intent was to use Tumblr as a collection place for all your other services - lots of people use it with their other feeds - that's just not how i use it.

himelator · 6 months ago

the new standard in the programming web world is change for the sake of change. While young hip dudesters and dudettes like to think they dont exist with a business model the reality is, as their sites grow and mature, they employ a lot of talented bored people who spend a lot of time trying to justify their salaries. When the right road is to just leave things alone or add new pathways, sites like ebay, facebook and tumbler spend massive amounts of time and energy "changing" because of "boredom" pressures from within. One of the great skills in business is to learn how to grow without ripping up the roots and replanting the business. Few people understand the long haul approach

leigh · 6 months ago

Love this quote dave "One of the great skills in business is to learn how to grow without ripping up the roots and replanting the business."

I'll have to use that one sometime. :)

Mark · 6 months ago

That's often true, but not necessarily true here. Many new services don't arrive at their form factor for several cycles. Using your analogy: sometimes you have to replant because there simply wasn't enough sun where you thought there would be.